Al Ahli thrash Al Dhafra, keep pressure on Jazira
abu dhabi — Al Ahli boosted their chances to challenge Al Jazira for the title with 2-0 thrashing of Al Dhafra in the Round 21 of the Arabian Gulf League at the Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan Stadium on Wednesday.
The Dubai ‘Knights’ remain second with 47 points from 21 matches and Dhafra seventh with 29 in the standings.
Al Ahli started the game in search of three points and it was one-way traffic for most part of the game. Al Ahli’s Makhete Diop was at his attacking best but the backline of his old club did all it could to keep the striker quiet.
And in the 29th minute, when the Senegalese broke free and was one-to-one with keeper Abdullah Sultan, he was ruled offside. Strikers Asamoah Gyan and Saeed Al Bloushi kept the visitors in hunt and in 42nd minute were awarded a contentious spot kick. Al Ahli’s Ismail Al Hammadi, from the centre, connected Diop with a splendid cross.
Keeper Sultan made a sliding tackle and Diop rolled over after a soft contact. Penalty was ordered and following the ruling, Al Dhafra midfielder Abdullah Al Nuqbi was booked for altercations with the referee. Gyan stepped in to coolly drill to the right corner but referee sought a re-kick, which was deposited to the left side by the Ghanaian striker.
The home team, though, had rare opportunities. In the 36th minute, against the run of play, Al Dhafra came up with a surprise counter attack as Khalid Al Hagri tried to find a gap between the post and the keeper but Majed Naser ably palmed the ball away.
Just after the break, Al Dhafra keeper Sultan showed great reflexes to keep Diop’s header out but in 63rd minute the visitors scored. It was a pass from Brazilian midfielder Everton Ribeiro to Diop that saw the striker fix a spot and fire the rocket past Sultan to double the advantage.
Al Dhafra paid the price for focusing solely on defence and relying only on counter-attack. The ploy had helped eke out wins but not on the night. In the closing stages, Al Dhafra had a chance to reduce the deficit but
But I must fight for Al Ahli ..... We have come a long way and want to win the League Diop, Al Ahli striker
Adil Hermach shot on goal was kept out by Majed Naser. And it remained unchanged till the end.
Former Al Dhafra player Diop said he felt sad entering the stadium in another T-shirt. “But I must fight for Al Ahli.”
Diop said he was strongly supporting No. 3 Al Ain to win against League leaders Al Jazira.
“We have come a long way and want to win the League,” the Al Ahli striker added.
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com